Back to WOOORK!! 5/23/11

           Getting back to WOOORK on Monday is tough.  So enjoy this beautiful Cecil Beaton sketch from the opening scene of "My Fair Lady."  All this Cocoon Coat work-ness really cuts the edge, like finely processed cocaine... I mean coffee!  Like a finely processed COFFEE!

Enjoy... and get back to WOOORK!!

Philip - In Brooklyn

Back to WOOORK!! - 3/21/11

            Ladies and Gents today is the 1st day of SPRING!!  It also happens to be everyone's FAVORITE day of the week... Monday.  So let the bells ring out and let us all rejoice the wonderful season which is Spring!

             We have some help from Mr. J.C. Leyendecker to ring in this most wonderful of seasons, but here in NYC it did little good.  It's raining and threats of snow are on the horizon.  Honestly?!  What is the point of Spring if it's gonna be gross out.  Anyhow enough ranting... get back to WOOORK!!

Philip - In Brooklyn

Special Collections... INDEED!

            While trolling the "web" one evening I came across the Flickr account for the FIT Special Collections.  They turned out to be a treasure trove of fashion illustrations.  I had to just share them with you guys!  I hope you find them as inspiring as I do!

BALMAIN



DIOR

BALMAIN

MADAME GRES

Philip - In Brooklyn

Twas the Night Before the Night Before Christmas

            And not creature was stirring except the Arrow Shirt Collar Man, reading this classic Christmas tale so a few lucky kids.  Obviously they aren't his kids.  He's too stylish to be saddled with rugrats.  So have a delicious cognac you deserve it. 

 

Philip - In Brooklyn

Happy Thanksgivin's!

Happy Thanksgivin's Patterned History Readers!

            Sorry this comes a bit late in the day but guess who got stuck with cooking duty.  That's right, I did.  But it's ok.  I kind of enjoy being a host.  People get to make Donna Reed comparisons and that is NEVER bad.  

            I hope everyone ate more than they should have and said some snide comments to their least favorite family member.  My gift to you on this day of thanks is the J.C. Leyendecker painting commemorating Thanksgiving 1928.  I don't know much about this painting since I'm too full to research it further.  The couch is where I am and also where I'll stay for the rest of the night.  But hey, the footballer is easy on the eyes so it's got that going for it.

Philip - In Brooklyn

Pattern Envelopes Are Filled With Love

           Hey there gang!  Since I'm waist deep in Halloween tranny-ness I thought I just share with you some vintage patterns I've found on Ebay.  I love fashion illustrations from the days of yore.  I don't own any of these patterns, but whoever won these auctions are probably a lot happier than they were before.

Oh Pauline!  Ms. Wintour has never looked happier!

Schiaparelli 3 piece suit.  There is no doubt why this one sold for over $100

Givenchy.  I love this design, how the skirt is gathered into a seam at the back.

Oh Anne!  You know I adore a peplum!

Philip - In Brooklyn

Costume Illustration - Helen Rose

            I love costume illustration.  They really knew how to make an impact back then.  Helen Rose was MGM's costume designer through the 1950s where she designed over 200 movies and won 2 Oscars.  One of her best know works was Grace Kelly's wedding gown.  Here is some example of her mad skills.

 For Joan Crawford in "Torch Song"

 For Debbie Reynolds in "Goodbye Charlie'

 For Grace Kelly in "High Society"

 Grace Kelly's Wedding Gown

 Helen Rose

I wish I knew who illustrated for her so I could give them a shout out.  If you know hit me up!

Philip - In Brooklyn

SPECIAL DELIVERY!

            So I come back from lunch and what did I find?!  Bound INSPIRATION!  I ordered two books from this little mom and pop book website called Amazon.com, and they finally arrived today!  WOO HOO!
            Hand-Manipulated Stitches for the Machine Knitter: by Susan Guaglimi and J.C. Leyendecker: by Laurence S. Cutler and Judy Goffman Cutler, I wonder if they’re bother and sister.  I’m gonna be pouring over these for the next few days so you best believe I’ll have future posts on these subjects!

-Philip in Brooklyn